Guard for beds



(No Model.)

T. D. SMITH.

GUARD FOR BEDS.

No. 365,105. Patented June 21, 1887.

NITED STATES ATENT FFICE.

THOMAS D. SMITH, OF LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS.

GUARD FOR BEDS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 365,105, dated June 21, 1887.

Application filed April 19, 1886. Serial No. 199,350. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS D. SMITH, of Lynn, in the county of Essex and Common wealth of Massachusetts, have invented certain Improvements in Guards'forBeds, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification.

This invention relates to beds, and has for its object to provide a device whereby children are prevented from falling off their beds.

The nature of the invention is hereinafter fully described and specifically claimed.

Referring to the drawings, Figure l is a side elevation of a bed-frame having my invention attached thereto. Fig. 2 is a cross-section on line 90 x, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is the same as Fig. 2, except that in this view the guard is folded down. Fig. 4 is a cross-section on line y 7 Fig. 3.

The bedstead or frame A and standards B B are constructed in the usual and customary way. The links a have one end jointed to the bed-rail A and the other end jointed to the bar 0. These joints are such as to permit the guard being lifted, so as to bring the links in the upright position, and supporting the bar C, as fully represented in Fig. 1 of the drawings. The guard is locked in this position by a suitable hook or latch, c. the guard is let down behind the bedrail, as shown in Fig. 3, the links being new horizontal and in line with the bar 0, and the whole being connected by the bed-rail A, asshown.

This invention is designed as a guard for keeping restless children from falling off the bed. In use itis elevated, as shown in Fig. 1; but when not in use it may be folded down behind the bed, as in Fig. 3, thus giving the bed the usual and customary appearance.

As clearly shown in the drawings, the catch for holding the guard-frame in an upright position is situated upon the outside and considerably above the level of the bed-frame, being hooked into the top rail, and thus completely concealed from view of the occupant. This position is foundthe most desirable, for the \Vhen not in use,

reason that the catch is subjected to little leverage and there is no liability of the frame working free by reason of the movement of the occupant. Especially is this desirable when the bed is occupied by restless children.

As will be observed from an inspection of the drawings, the guardrail isconnected to the inner side of the links (I. a, which are in turn pivotally connected to the inner face of the ordinary rail, A. The top rail is provided with an overhanging flange or lip c, sufficiently wide to cover the thickness of the links. This flange therefore projects toward the rail A, and when the guard is in its folded position, as shown in Fig. t, the lip comes flush with the top of the bed-rail and with its edge resting against the side thereof, whereby, as the lip is of rounded form, it presents the ap pearance of a rail in the form of a molding,

the links being completely hidden from view and the occurrence of cracks being prevented. It may be also noticed that the top rail is supported not only at the ends but at intermediate points by the links a a. The links are placed as close together as possible, so as to form a complete barrier across the space between the top rail and side board. Their distance apart is determined by their length, being positioned so that they will fold snugly within the bedframe in combination with a catch.

I am aware that a folding guard-frame is not new, and I do not broadly claim the construction.

Having thus described my invention, I claim and desire by Letters Patent to secure- In combination with the ordinary side board, A, of a bedstead, the guard-frame piw otally connected thereto, consisting of the links a a and rail 0, said rail being provided with a projecting lip, c, substantially as de scribed, and for the purpose set forth.

T. 1). SMITH.

Witnesses:

C. O. TUTTLE, O. B. TUTTLE. 

